VOA标准英语2014--Students Honor African-American Singer Marian Anderson 学生们怀念非裔美国歌手玛丽安·安德森

 

Students Honor African-American Singer Marian Anderson 学生们怀念非裔美国歌手玛丽安·安德森

WASHINGTON — The life of one of the most celebrated¹ African-American singers of the 20th century is being remembered in Washington.  This month marks the 75th anniversary of a groundbreaking concert by Marian Anderson.  The performance transformed her into an important figure in the struggle against racial prejudice in the United States.

The high school students came to pay tribute² to a singer who helped introduce the world to American songs and spirituals when they headlined an event at the U.S. Capitol honoring African-American singer Marian Anderson, who overcame racial prejudice 75 years ago.

With the help of President Franklin Roosevelt and his wife, Anderson was allowed to perform at an open air concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in April 1939. It would be among many racial barriers she would break.

Anderson's concert was organized after she was refused permission to sing at a nearby Constitution Hall because she was black. Following a public outcry 75,000 people instead attended a free concert at the Lincoln Memorial.

Anderson was already well known in Europe in the 1930s, but this concert broadcast around the United States heightened³ her fame.

"She opened the world to this idea of concert singing, and she also brought the history of the Negro spiritual which until then has been like a community-type song," said Washington Performing Arts Society Music Director Stanley Thurston.

Anderson also became an important figure in the American civil rights movement and for black artists who faced racial discrimination.

Alice McClellan remembers the first time she saw Anderson sing at the 1963 March on Washington.

"It made you believe in equal rights, and it made you speak out even when you wouldn't have," she said. "It made you raise your voice and be aware of all people, not just blacks, for all people."

Anderson became the first black to perform at the Metropolitan⁴ Opera in New York in 1955 and went on to sing at the Carnegie Hall, the White House and at  presidential inaugurations⁵.

Now, decades later, young people are learning about Anderson and the songs she helped popularize.

Vocalist Annisse Murillo says she's grateful for the opportunity to honor Anderson and follow in her footsteps.

"She inspired me to sing my way," she said. "You don't have to fight with words or get angry."

 

These young artists say it's important to learn both about Anderson's music and how it helped bring change to an entire nation.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 tribute   

n.颂词，称赞，(表示敬意的)礼物；贡品

参考例句：

• She accepted their tribute graciously.她慈祥地接受了他们的致意。
• Many conquered nations had to pay tribute to the rulers of ancient Rome.许多被征服的国家必须向古罗马的统治者朝贡。

3 heightened   

（使）变高， （使）增大( heighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）提高； （使）加强[重]

参考例句：

• Tension has heightened after the recent bomb attack. 最近的炸弹袭击之后，情势更加紧张。
• The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene. 轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。

4 metropolitan   

adj.大城市的，大都会的

参考例句：

• Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
• Metropolitan residents are used to fast rhythm.大都市的居民习惯于快节奏。

5 inaugurations   

n.就职( inauguration的名词复数 )；就职典礼；开始；开创

参考例句：